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Jeff McL
Contributor I
October 4, 2018
Answered

Problem with Apple TV 4K

Every time I turn on the Apple TV, the audio output defaults to ‘HDMI’ which is the Apple TV itself. I have to switch it to Sonus every time. This is annoying. Does anyone know how to get the apple TV to automatically default to Sonos for audio output?
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    MikeV
    MikeVAnswer
    October 4, 2018
    There's a setting in the Apple TV settings about controlling other devices over HDMI... Settings > Remotes and Devices > Control TVs and Receivers... try turning that setting off and see if that helps.

    After turning that off, you might need to tell the Apple TV how to control volume so the volume buttons on the Apple TV remote work... you should be able to tell it to use Sonos via IR, and that should work without needing to program anything else.
    The S in IOT stands for Security.
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    14 replies

    MikeV
    MikeVAnswer
    October 4, 2018
    There's a setting in the Apple TV settings about controlling other devices over HDMI... Settings > Remotes and Devices > Control TVs and Receivers... try turning that setting off and see if that helps.

    After turning that off, you might need to tell the Apple TV how to control volume so the volume buttons on the Apple TV remote work... you should be able to tell it to use Sonos via IR, and that should work without needing to program anything else.
    The S in IOT stands for Security.
    Partipilopf
    Lyricist I
    December 20, 2018
    Did this work for anyone? This is an issue that after 3 calls into Sonos support, could not solve. They say it’s a problem with ATV. please help!
    Pablo Cazman
    Lyricist II
    February 16, 2019
    I’ve fully brought into Sonos with the beam, sub and two ones in the living room to creat 5.1 experience only for Sonos to continually drop out and Apple to revert to my Panasonic’s terrible speakers. To rub salt in I phone Sonos to find 24/7 support only covers business hours. Feeling disappointed with this experience
    John B
    February 16, 2019
    24/7 support is available on social media. It doesn't say anywhere that it is 24/7 phone support. Get in touch and I hope that your issue is resolved quickly.
    simonioia456
    Lyricist I
    July 22, 2019
    I’m having this problem too. It switches from the Beam speaker back to HDMI - if it’s an apple issue is there a fix for it? How do we keep it from switching off of that and stick to the external speaker? Maybe an airplay fix?
    David225
    Lyricist I
    September 19, 2019
    I'm also having this problem. Apple TV defaults to HDMI but if I want the volume to go thru all Sonos speakers, I have to set it each time I turn on the TV. It doesn't hold the setting when the TV is turned off. Seems like a bug but I'm not sure if it's with Apple TV or Airplay.
    rmbrennanjr
    Lyricist II
    December 27, 2019

    I, too, have this same problem with my Bean + 2 One SL’s.  Nearly two hours on the phone with Sonos support and they concluded I needed to speak with Apple.  The call with a Senior Wireless Advisor at Apple was much shorter.  What I learned is that because the Sonos speakers are connected to Apple TV via Wifi (except the Beam), I must reselect the audio output every time Apple TV powers up.  Therefore, according to Apple, the Airplay 2 functionality is working precisely as it was designed.  However, nowhere in any Apple or Sonos published literature am I able to see that to use the two systems together, requires the user to select the preferred audio output after each power up.  I find that to be quite misleading from both the Apple side and the Sonos side.  Finally, the Apple advisor suggested I provide feedback at apple.com/feedback adding that if enough people complain about it, maybe Apple will do something about it.

      controlav
      controlav
      Lead Maestro
      December 27, 2019

      @rmbrennanjr - you are using Airplay to get the audio from your Apple TV to your Beam? Why?? Use either ARC (if your TV supports it) or optical out (if it can’t do ARC). You’ll get 5.1 then, instead of stereo.

      Author of the leading independent Sonos apps for Android, MacOS, iOS, Windows and Xbox.
      rmbrennanjr
      Lyricist II
      December 28, 2019

      The Beam is connected to the TV HDMI-ARC. However, every time I turn off the TV and back on again, Apple TV defaults to only the Beam and ignores the One SL’s. 

      controlav
      controlav
      Lead Maestro
      December 28, 2019

      The Beam is connected to the TV HDMI-ARC. However, every time I turn off the TV and back on again, Apple TV defaults to only the Beam and ignores the One SL’s. 


      Are the SLs Paired, or Grouped? To work as surrounds they need to be Paired with the Beam.

      Author of the leading independent Sonos apps for Android, MacOS, iOS, Windows and Xbox.
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